Game Ball: Georgia Def. Coord. Willie Martinez

The Georgia Bulldogs stopped the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 30-24 in Athens.  In the victory, the Dawgs were able to hold a previously potent Tech offense to a total of 205 yards rushing.  The Yellow Jackets came into the game as on of the nations top offensive teams averaging 314 yards rushing and 36 points per game.

“The defensive coaching staff had a plan and the boys carried out pretty darn well,” Head coach Mark Richt said.

For his team’s great play, Willie Martinez is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the National Defensive Coordinator of the Week.

Defense | Special Teams | Offense Coordinator | Offense

Game Ball: Iowa Def. Coord. Norm Parker

For the second consecutive year, the Iowa Hawkeyes shut out the Minnesota Golden Gophers.  This year the shutout was 12-0.  The last back-to-back shutout of the Gophers by Iowa was in the 1955-1956 seasons.  The scoreless Gophers had only 48 yards rushing and a total of 201 total yards.  The highlight of the defensive struggle came in the fourth quarter with a goal line stand by Iowa on four plays from the two yard line.

“Our defense played a tremendous football game and we certainly needed a great effort out of them,” head coach Kirk Ferentz said.

For his team’s great play, Norm Parker is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the National Defensive Coordinator of the Week.

Defense | Special Teams | Offense | Offensive Coordinator

Game Ball: Stanford Co-Def. Coord. Andy Buh & Ron Lynn

The Stanford Cardinal beat the USC Trojans 55-21 on the road in Los Angeles.  The victory was due in large part to Stanford’s defensive pressure on USC quarterback, Matt Barkley.  The pressured Barkley was sacked twice and threw three interceptions.  Cardinal senior cornerback Richard Sherman returned one pick 42 yards to put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter.

The Trojans were held scoreless in the first and fourth quarters.

For their team’s great play, Andy Buh and Ron Lynn are awarded the Legends Nike Game Ball for National Co-Defensive Coordinators of the Week.

Defense | Special Teams | Offense | Offensive Coordinator

Game Ball: Clemson Def. Coord. Kevin Steele

The Clemson Tigers outlasted the Florida State Seminoles 40-24 in Death Valley.  The Tigers forced five turnovers in the game including 4 interceptions.  The Seminoles came into the game with a top-10 ranked offense and quarterback Christian Ponder had thrown three interceptions the entire year.  Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele made several adjustments preventing the big play and confusing Ponder.  Clemson now has a good chance to get to the ACC championship game.

For his team’s great play, Kevin Steele is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the National Defensive Coordinator of the Week.

Defense | Special Teams | Offense | Offensive Coordinator

Game Ball: Texas Def. Coord. Will Muschamp

The Texas Longhorns continued their great defensive play as they stopped the Oklahoma State Cowboys 41-14 in Stillwater.  The second-ranked Horns’ defense forced a remarkable five Cowboy turnovers.  Two of the turnovers were interceptions returned for touchdowns.  In all, Texas was able to convert 28 points off of the turnovers.  Oklahoma State’s offense was held to just 277 total yards, its lowest output this year.

For his team’s great play, Will Muschamp is awarded the Legends Nike Game Ball” for the National Defensive Coordinator of the Week.

Defense | Special Teams | Offense | Offensive Coordinator

Game Ball: Iowa State Def. Coord. Wally Burnham

The Iowa State Cyclones upset the Nebraska Cornhuskers 9-7 in Lincoln.  The Cyclones are getting close to bowl eligibility with a much improved defense, led by new defensive coordinator Wally Burnham.  The Cyclones forced eight Nebraska turnovers, four of which were inside the Iowa State five yard line.  The eight turnovers by Nebraska tied a school record.  Nebraska’s seven point total in the game is the lowest against Iowa State since 1959.  Iowa State has allowed just 17 points in its last two league games.

For his team’s great play, Wally Burnham is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the National Defensive Coordinator of the Week.

Defense | Special Teams | Offense | Offensive Coordinator

Game Ball: Texas Tech Def. Coord. Ruffin McNeill

The Texas Tech Red Raiders had a great defensive day as they upset the Nebraska Cornhuskers 31-10 in Lincoln. The Huskers came into the game averaging over 400 yards of total offense. The Red Raiders held them to just 285 yards. In the red zone, Tech made crucial stops limiting Nebraska to just two scores in five chances. Red Raider defensive end Daniel Howard returned a fumble 82 yards on one red zone stop. Tech stopped Nebraska’s 4th and goal chance on another. The Red Raiders recorded five sacks on the day.

For his team’s great play, Ruffin McNeill is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the National Defensive Coordinator of the Week.

Offense | Defense | Special Teams | Offensive Coordinator

Game Ball: Alabama Def. Coordinator Kirby Smart

In a stellar defensive showing, the Alabama Crimson Tide dominated the Ole Miss Rebels 22-3 in Oxford.  The Tide held Ole Miss to only 19 yards in the first half and a game total of 212 yards.  Ole Miss Quarterback Jevan Snead was intercepted four times.

“Our defensive line was in his face and that’s tough for any quarterback,” Crimson Tide linebacker Corey Reamer said.

The Rebels could not convert a third down the entire game.

For his team’s great play, Kirby Smart is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the National Defensive Coordinator of the Week.

Offense | Defense | Special Teams | Offensive Coordinator

Game Ball: LSU Def. Coord. John Chavis

Leadership on defense proved the difference as fourth-ranked LSU edged then 18th-ranked Georgia 20-13 in Athens.  New LSU defensive coordinator, John Chavis, entered the game with extensive knowledge of Georgia offenses acquired while serving 14 years as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator. Chavis passed that knowledge along as LSU held the Dogs to only 45 yards rushing and held them scoreless for the first three quarters.

“I surprised myself I knew so much what they were going to do,” LSU linebacker Kelvin Sheppard said. “We knew what there plays were going to be because coach Chavis told us.”

Chavis now has a remarkable 7-3 career record on the road at Sanford Stadium.

For his team’s great play, John Chavis is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the National Defensive Coordinator of the Week.

Offense | Defense | Special Teams | Offensive Coordinator

Game Ball: Va. Tech Def. Coordinator Bud Foster

The Miami Hurricanes — then No. 9 — were downgraded in Blacksburg, Va., after a strong defensive showing by No. 6 Virginia Tech, 31-7.  Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster artfully mixed in a blitz package to successfully pressure ‘Cane quarterback Jacory Harris where other opponents had failed.  Feeling the heat, Harris was sacked twice with a forced fumble leading to an early score.  In all, Harris was just 9-of-25 for 150 yards passing, and an interception.

“Coach Foster put together a really good game plan and put us in some good situations,” Hokie linebacker Cody Grimm said.

Miami was successful on just one-of-11 third down conversions.

For his team’s great play, Bud Foster is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the National Defensive Coordinator of the Week.

Offense | Defense | Special Teams | Offensive Coordinator

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